ASA 118 – Docking Endorsement Practice Exam Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2025 Q&A

ASA 118 – Docking Endorsement
Practice Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025 Q&A

1. What is the most effective way to stop forward motion when
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approaching a dock?
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• Increase throttle in forward | | |




• Shift to neutral and wait
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• Turn the wheel hard to starboard
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• Apply reverse thrust | |




Applying reverse thrust counteracts forward momentum and brings the
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boat to a stop safely.
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2. When docking a twin-screw catamaran, what advantage do you have?
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• Increased wind resistance | |




• Faster acceleration |




• Independent engine control | |

, • No need for lines
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Independent control of each engine allows for precise maneuvering
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|without relying heavily on rudder input.
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3. When should you use a spring line?
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• When drifting in open water
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• To control fore or aft motion at the dock
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• To anchor the boat
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• To tie to a mooring buoy
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Spring lines are used to prevent the boat from moving forward or
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backward along the dock.
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4. What effect does prop walk have on a single-screw boat in reverse?
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• The boat moves sideways in forward
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• The stern moves sideways in reverse
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• The boat turns more easily
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• The engine stalls
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Prop walk causes the stern to move laterally in reverse due to propeller
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rotation direction.
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5. What is the best approach angle when docking in calm conditions?
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• 90 degrees
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• 60 degrees
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• 30 to 45 degrees
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• Parallel

,A 30 to 45-degree approach gives better visibility and allows easy
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maneuvering and control.
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6. What factor most affects docking maneuvers?
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• Fuel level |




• Wind and current | |




• Passenger count |




• Paint condition |




Wind and current exert strong lateral forces on a vessel and must be
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accounted for.
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7. What should be done before leaving the dock?
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• Turn on the bilge pump
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• Check lines and fenders | | |




• Lower the anchor | |




• Fill the water tank
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Proper line management and fender placement protect the boat and dock
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during departure.
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8. Which gear should be engaged briefly when backing a single-screw
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boat to starboard?
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• Neutral

• Reverse

• Forward

• Both forward and reverse
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, Engaging reverse with a left-hand prop assists in walking the stern to
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starboard.
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9. Which knot is commonly used to secure a line to a dock cleat?
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• Bowline

• Cleat hitch |




• Sheet bend |




• Square knot |




The cleat hitch is quick and secure for tying lines to cleats.
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10. When should you use fenders? | | | |




• Only at sea | |




• Only during anchoring
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• When docking or rafting | | |




• Never, they cause drag | | |




Fenders protect the hull from contact damage while docking or rafted up.
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11. What is the best method to account for a strong crosswind when
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docking?
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• Dock with the wind
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• Ignore it |




• Approach at a steeper angle and use reverse to correct drift
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• Use full throttle
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A steeper angle and timely reverse correct the boat’s sideways drift due to
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crosswind.
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